U.S. patent application number 13/878274 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for throttle cable locking assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSQVARNA ZENOAH CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Masanori Kobayashi. Invention is credited to Masanori Kobayashi.
Application Number | 20130186369 13/878274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44227848 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130186369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi; Masanori |
July 25, 2013 |
THROTTLE CABLE LOCKING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A throttle cable locking assembly (16) for a power tool (1), in
which the power tool (1) includes a source of power (2) having an
internal combustion engine, a machine implement (4) engaged to the
source of power (2), and a throttle handle (6) connected to the
internal combustion engine for regulating power supply to the
machine implement (4). The throttle cable locking assembly (16)
includes: a cable assembly (18), the cable assembly (18) including
a throttle cable (20) extending from the internal combustion
engine, an outer cable (30) extending from the internal combustion
engine and enclosing a portion of the throttle cable (20), and an
engagement member (36) carried by a first end portion of the outer
cable (30); and an adjuster bolt capable of being engaged with the
engagement member (36) provided on the first end of the outer cable
(30). A locking case (48) is provided for securing one end of the
adjuster bolt and a portion of the engagement member (36).
Inventors: |
Kobayashi; Masanori;
(Saitama, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kobayashi; Masanori |
Saitama |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HUSQVARNA ZENOAH CO., LTD.
Saitama
JP
|
Family ID: |
44227848 |
Appl. No.: |
13/878274 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 22, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/006256 |
371 Date: |
April 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/337 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16G 11/025 20130101;
F16C 2310/00 20130101; A01D 34/90 20130101; F16C 1/226 20130101;
F02B 75/00 20130101; F16C 1/103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/337 |
International
Class: |
F02B 75/00 20060101
F02B075/00 |
Claims
1. A throttle cable locking assembly for a power tool, the power
tool comprising a source of power having an internal combustion
engine, a machine implement engaged to the source of power, and a
throttle handle connected to the internal combustion engine for
regulating power supply to the machine implement, the throttle
cable locking assembly comprising: a cable assembly, the cable
assembly comprising: a throttle cable extending from the internal
combustion engine, an outer cable extending from the internal
combustion engine and enclosing a portion of the throttle cable,
and an engagement member carried by a first end portion of the
outer cable; and an adjuster bolt capable of being engaged with the
engagement member provided on the first end portion of the outer
cable, wherein a locking case is provided for securing one end of
the adjuster bolt and a portion of the engagement member.
2. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 1,
wherein a threaded portion of the adjuster bolt is configured to be
removably connected with the internal combustion engine.
3. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the locking case comprises: a first member configured to be
engaged with each of the engagement member and the adjuster bolt;
and a second member hingedly jointed to the first member, the
second member being configured to be moved about the hinged joint
for locking the engagement member and the adjuster bolt.
4. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 3,
wherein the first member includes a locking member and the second
member includes a complementary locking member.
5. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 4,
wherein the locking member is adapted to be snap-fitted to the
complementary locking member for locking the first member with the
second member.
6. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 3,
wherein an internal surface of the first member and the second
member is configured to be integrated with a portion of an outer
surface of the adjuster bolt.
7. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 3,
wherein the engagement member of the cable assembly comprises at
least one flange adapted to engage with the first member and the
second member of the locking case.
8. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 7,
wherein an outer diameter of the at least one flange is bigger than
the outer diameter of a main body of the engagement member.
9. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the locking case is attachable to the adjuster bolt in a
one-touch operation.
10. The throttle cable locking assembly according to claim 1
further comprising at least one locknut for adjusting the
connection between the adjuster bolt and the internal combustion
engine.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to hand-held power tools and
especially relates to a suitable arrangement for locking a throttle
cable to an internal combustion engine of a hand-held power
tool.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Hand-held power tools, such as a bush cutter, a line trimmer
etc are well known in the art. The hand-held power tools generally
include a source of power including an internal combustion engine,
a machine implement connected to the source of power, and a
throttle control mechanism. The machine implement receives power
from the internal combustion engine. The throttle control mechanism
regulates the supply of charge to the internal combustion engine
thereby regulating the amount of power produced by the internal
combustion engine. Conventionally, the throttle control mechanism
includes a handle member connected to one of the source of power or
the machine implement and a throttle cable. The throttle control
mechanism extends from the handle member and connects to a
stationary bracket of the internal combustion engine through an
adjuster bolt. The operation of the handle member operates the
throttle cable. The operation of the throttle cable connected to
the internal combustion engine actuates a throttle to move, for
altering the supply of charge to the internal combustion engine.
However, it is frequently seen that the throttle cable gets
accidentally loosened or detached from the adjuster bolt connected
to the stationary bracket, thus actuating or accelerating the
throttle undesirably. Such undesired actuating of the throttle
frequently poses a potential threat to a user. Further, such
detachment or loosening of the throttle cable from the throttle
bracket severely hampers proper operation of the throttle with the
operation of the throttle handle. Moreover, such detachment or
loosening of the throttle cable from the throttle bracket also
creates a need for again attaching the throttle cable to the
throttle bracket.
[0003] Various measures have been adopted in the art to reduce or
eliminate the potential problems arising from the accidental
actuation of the throttle. One way to reduce or eliminate such
problems is to employ an additional locknut for locking the
throttle cable to the throttle bracket. Another known measure is to
employ a threaded hole created on the adjuster bolt for fixing the
adjuster bolt on an end portion of the throttle cable.
[0004] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,939 (hereinafter referred
to as '939 Patent), issued on Aug. 9, 1988 and assigned to Andreas
Stihl, titled "Brushcutter" discloses a Brushcutter having an
improved handle member. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,507
(hereinafter referred to as '507 Patent), issued on Jul. 13, 2003
and assigned to Honda Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, titled "Operational
lever for bush cutter" discloses an operational lever for a bush
cutter.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] However, when an additional locknut is employed, an
additional effort is required to fix the throttle cable.
Specifically, a tool such as a wrench is required in such cases to
fix the throttle cable, which often causes inconvenience to the
user. However, when the threaded hole is created on the adjuster
bolt, an additional screw is inserted into the threaded hole. Such
need of installing the additional screw in the adjuster bolt also
proves to be an inconvenient and cumbersome exercise for the users.
Further, the utilization of the additional locknut or the
additional screws in the adjuster bolt also carries an additional
cost associated with it. Further, the patents listed above also
fail to address abovementioned problems.
[0006] In light of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to
provide an arrangement for locking the throttle cable to the
internal combustion engine of a hand-held power tool which is easy
and convenient to install. Further, it is another object of the
present invention to address the problems associated with the
accidental detachment or loosening of the throttle cable.
Solution to Problem
[0007] A throttle cable locking assembly, according to an aspect of
the invention is used for a power tool, the power tool including a
source of power having an internal combustion engine, a machine
implement engaged to the source of power, and a throttle handle
connected to the internal combustion engine for regulating power
supply to the machine implement, the throttle cable locking
assembly including: a cable assembly, the cable assembly including:
a throttle cable extending from the internal combustion engine, an
outer cable extending from the internal combustion engine and
enclosing a portion of the throttle cable, and an engagement member
carried by a first end portion of the outer cable; and an adjuster
bolt capable of being engaged with the engagement member provided
on the first end of the outer cable; a locking case is provided for
securing one end of the adjuster bolt and a portion of the
engagement member.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
securing of the locking case over the one end of the adjuster bolt
and the portion of the engagement member precludes any possibility
of accidental disengagement and loosening of the engagement member
from the adjusting bolt. This aspect of the preset invention
therefore prevents an unexpected increase in the rotational speed
resulting from a pullout. The throttle cable locking further
precludes the need of employing other adjusting nuts, thereby
precluding the need of incurring the cost associated with them.
[0009] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, a threaded portion of the adjuster
bolt is configured to be removably connected with the internal
combustion engine.
[0010] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, the locking case includes: a first
member configured to be engaged with each of the engagement member
and the adjuster bolt; and a second member hingedly joined to the
first member, the second member being configured to be moved about
the hinged joint for locking the engagement member and the adjuster
bolt.
[0011] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, an internal surface of the first
member and the second member is configured to be integrated with a
portion of an outer surface of the adjuster bolt. Thus, the
adjuster bolt can be conveniently adjusted to maintain proper
connection with the internal combustion engine without having to
employ any additional tools. Accordingly, the cable assembly and
the internal combustion engine remain properly engaged, thus
enabling proper throttling of the internal combustion engine by the
cable assembly.
[0012] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, the first member of the locking
case includes a locking member and the second member of the locking
case includes a complementary locking member. The locking member is
adapted to be snap-fitted to the complementary locking member for
locking the first member with the second member. Therefore, the
locking case can be conveniently and quickly installed for locking
the cable assembly and the adjustment bolt.
[0013] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, the engagement member of the cable
assembly includes at least one flange adapted to engage with the
first member and the second member of the locking case.
[0014] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, an outer diameter of the at least
one flange is bigger than the outer diameter of a main body of the
engagement member.
[0015] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, the locking case is attachable to
the adjuster bolt in a one-touch operation.
[0016] In the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
aspect of the present invention, further includes at least one
locknut for adjusting the connection between the adjuster bolt and
the internal combustion engine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A is a view of a hand-held power tool utilizing a
throttle cable locking assembly, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 1B is another view of the hand-held power tool
utilizing the throttle cable locking assembly, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable assembly of the
throttle cable locking assembly, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of the throttle cable locking
assembly connected to an internal combustion engine of the
hand-held power tool, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the throttle cable locking
assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a view of a locking case along with the throttle
cable locking assembly connected to an internal combustion engine,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described
below with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5. Incidentally, same
reference numeral will be used corresponding to same components in
the entire description.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a hand-held power tool 1 (will
be simply referred to as a `power tool 1` hereinafter), according
to this exemplary embodiment includes: a source of power 2, a
machine implement 4 engaged to the source of power 2, and a
throttle handle 6 connected to the source of power 2. The source of
power 2 encloses an internal combustion engine (not visible in
FIGS. 1A and 1B). The internal combustion engine may be a two
stroke engine, a four stroke engine, a petrol engine or a diesel
engine. The machine implement 4 has an elongated cylindrical
structure having a first end portion 8, a second end portion 10
opposite to the first end portion 8 and a stem portion (not
numbered) connecting the first end portion 8 and the second end
portion 10. The first end portion 8 of the machine implement 4
carries a means for removably connecting a tool (not shown), such
as, but not limited to, a cutter. The stem portion of the machine
implement 4 may include an additional handle (not shown) for
facilitating handling of the power tool 1. Optionally, one or more
brackets (not numbered) may also be provided on the stem portion
and/or the Source of power 2, for attaching a harness (not shown)
to the power tool 1. The throttle handle 6 includes a handle member
12 and one or more actuation knobs, such as a throttle lever 14
carried by the handle member 12. The handle member 12 facilitates
handling of the power tool 1. Further, the throttle lever 14 of the
throttle handle 6 regulates the operation of the internal
combustion engine. Furthermore, a throttle cable locking assembly
16 connects the throttle handle 6 to the internal combustion engine
for regulation of the operation of the internal combustion
engine.
[0025] The throttle cable locking assembly 16 includes a cable
assembly 18 (not numbered in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The operation of the
throttle lever 14 operates the cable assembly 18. The operation of
the cable assembly 18 regulates the power supplied by the internal
combustion engine to the machine implement 4.
[0026] FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the cable assembly 18 of
the throttle cable locking assembly 16 for the power tool 1,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cable
assembly 18 includes a throttle cable 20 extending from the
internal combustion engine when attached to the internal combustion
engine (shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, a first end portion 22 of
the throttle cable 20 is removably connected to the internal
combustion engine, and a second end portion 24 of the throttle
cable 20 is connected to the throttle lever 14 of the throttle
handle 6. The first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24
(not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the throttle cable 20 include an
attaching tab 26 and 28 respectively, for assisting attachment of
the first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24 to the
internal combustion engine and the throttle handle 6 respectively.
The cable assembly 18 further includes an outer cable 30 extending
from the internal combustion engine. Specifically, a first end
portion 32 of the outer cable 30 is connected to the internal
combustion engine while a second end portion 34 of the outer cable
30 is connected to the throttle handle 6 (shown in FIG. 3). The
outer cable 30 has a hollow passage (not shown) extending
throughout the length thereof, which encloses a portion of the
throttle cable 20. Such enclosing of the throttle cable 20 within
the hollow passage enables the throttle cable 20 to move within the
outer cable 30 relative to the outer cable 30 with the operation of
the throttle lever 14. The cable assembly 18 furthermore includes
an engagement member 36 carried by the first end portion 32 of the
outer cable 30. The engagement member 36 also includes a through
hole (not numbered) which is aligned with the hollow passage of the
outer cable 30 for allowing the throttle cable 20 to pass
therethrough. A portion of an external surface 38 of the engagement
member 36 may have a partially hexagonal configuration.
Alternatively, the portion of the external surface 38 of the
engagement member 36 may have a partially pentagonal or a
quadrilateral configuration. It may be apparent to a person who is
ordinarily skilled in the art that the portion of the external
surface 38 of the engagement member 36 may be of any shape without
deviating from the scope of the present invention. Additionally,
the engagement member 36 further includes at least one flange, such
as a flange 40. An outer diameter of the flange 40 is bigger than
the outer diameter of the main body of the engagement member 36. In
an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the outer cable
30 of the cable assembly 18 includes a portion of different
diameter (not illustrated). The different diameter may be larger
such that the portion works as the flange 40.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the cable assembly 18
connected to the internal combustion engine of the power tool 1,
according to an embodiment of the invention. The throttle cable
locking assembly 16 further includes an adjuster bolt 42. The
adjuster bolt 42 is capable of being engaged with the engagement
member 36 at an end portion 44 thereof. An opposite end portion 46
of the adjuster bolt 42 is capable of being connected to the
internal combustion engine.
[0028] The throttle cable locking assembly 16 furthermore includes
a locking case 48. The locking case 48 is provided for securing one
end of the adjuster bolt 42 and a portion of the engagement member
36. Such securing of the one end of the adjuster bolt 42 and the
portion of the engagement member 36 locks the adjuster bolt 42 with
respect to the engagement member 36. This locking precludes any
possibility of accidental disengagement or loosening of the
adjuster bolt 42 and the engagement member 36.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the internal combustion engine includes
a throttle control mechanism 50 for regulating the speed of the
internal combustion engine. The throttle control mechanism 50
includes a swiveling member 52 and a stationary bracket 54. The
swiveling member 52 is configured to be rotated about a swivel
point (not shown). The swiveling member 52 is connected to the
first end portion of the throttle cable 20. The operation of the
throttle lever 14 causes the throttle cable 20 to move. The
movement of the throttle cable imparts movement to the swiveling
member 52. The swiveling movement of the swiveling member 52
regulates the supply of fuel to a cylinder of the internal
combustion engine. The regulation of the supply of the fuel to the
cylinder of the internal combustion engine affects the operating
speed of the internal combustion engine. Clearly, since the machine
implement 4 is connected to the internal combustion engine, the
regulation of the operating speed of the internal combustion engine
may regulate the operating speed of the machine implement 4.
Therefore, the movement of the swiveling member 52 regulates the
speed of the machine implement 4. However, the stationary bracket
54 remains immobile irrespective of the movement of the swiveling
member 52. The stationary bracket 54 includes a threaded slot (not
numbered) for facilitating its connection to the adjuster bolt
42.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the end portion 44 of the adjuster bolt 42
including a hexagonal outer surface. The opposite end portion 46 of
the adjuster bolt 42 includes a threaded portion formed on an outer
surface thereof. Each of the end portion 44 and the opposite end
portion 46 includes a concentric hole (not numbered). The end
portion 44 is capable of being received over the first end portion
32 of the outer cable 30. The threaded portion is capable of being
attached to the internal combustion engine. Specifically, the
threaded portion on the opposite end portion 46 of the adjuster
bolt 42 is detachably connected to the stationary bracket 54 of the
throttle control mechanism 50 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0031] Additionally, at least one locknut 53 is coupled to the
adjuster bolt 42. The locknut 53 is configured to be coupled to the
threaded portion of the opposite end portion 46. The locknut 53
enables the adjuster bolt 42 to be locked to the stationary bracket
54 of the throttle control mechanism 50. The concentric holes of
the end portion 44 and the opposite end portion 46 form an
elongated hollow channel extending throughout the length of the
adjuster bolt 42. The first end portion 22 of the throttle cable 20
also passes through the concentric hole.
[0032] During utilization of the power tool 1 for regulating the
speed of the internal combustion engine, a user operates the
throttle lever 14. The operation of the throttle lever 14 moves the
throttle cable 20 with respect to the outer cable 30 and the
stationary bracket 54. Such movement of the throttle cable 20
operates the swiveling member 52, thus regulating the speed of the
machine implement 4.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a locking case along with the throttle cable
locking assembly connected to an internal combustion engine,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking
case 48 includes a first member 56 and a second member 58. The
first member 56 is configured to be engaged with each of the
engagement member 36 and the adjuster bolt 42. The second member 58
is hingedly joined to the first member 56 at a hinged joint 60. The
second member 58 is configured to be moved about the hinged joint
60 for locking the engagement member 36 and the adjuster bolt
42.
[0034] A locking member 62 is carried by the first member 56 of the
locking case 48 while a complementary locking member 64 is carried
by the second member 58. The locking member 62 is adapted to be
snap-fitted to the complementary locking member 64. The
snap-fitting of the locking member 62 and the complementary locking
member 64 locks the first member 56 with the second member 58.
Specifically, the movement of the second member 58 about the hinged
joint 60 aligns the locking member 62 with the complementary
locking member 64 and subsequent movement of the second member 58
and/or the first member 56 snap fits the locking member 62 to the
complementary locking member 64. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the hinged joint 60 will facilitate the
movement of each of or either of the first member 56 and the second
member 58 with respect to one another. Further, such movement of
the first member 56 and the second member 58 also facilitates
unlocking of the locking member 62 and the complementary locking
member 64.
[0035] Incidentally, an internal surface of the first member 56 and
the second member 58 is configured to be integrated with a portion
of an outer surface of the adjuster bolt 42. Further, the internal
surface of the first member 56 and the second member 58 is
configured to be integrated with a portion of the engagement member
36.
[0036] During the utilization of the throttle cable locking
assembly 16, the first end portion 22 of the throttle cable 20 is
connected to the swiveling member 52. Simultaneously, the threaded
portion on the second end portion of the adjuster bolt 42 is
connected to the stationary bracket 54 of the throttle control
mechanism 50 while the first end portion of the adjuster bolt 42 is
received over the end portion of the engagement member 36.
Thereafter, in order to securely attach the adjuster bolt 42 with
the engagement member 36, the first member 56 is engaged with each
of the engagement member 36 and the adjuster bolt 42. Subsequently,
the second member 58 is moved about the hinged joint 60 for locking
the engagement member 36 and the adjuster bolt 42. Such locking of
the engagement member 36 and the adjuster bolt 42 may be achieved
by a one touch operation. Further, the adjuster bolt 42 can be
conveniently adjusted by rotating the locking case 48 for
maintaining its proper connection with the internal combustion
engine. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the
first member 56 and the second member 58 engages with the flange
and the first end portion of the adjuster bolt 42.
[0037] The above-described exemplary embodiment provides the
following advantages.
[0038] The securing of the locking case 48 over the first end of
the adjuster bolt 42 and the portion of the engagement member 36
precludes any possibility of accidental disengagement of the
engagement member 36 from the adjuster bolt 42, thus preventing an
undesired increase in rotational speed of the internal combustion
engine resulting from a pullout. Locking of the throttle cable 20
further precludes the need of employing other adjusting nuts,
thereby precluding the need of incurring the cost associated with
them. The securing of the locking case 48 ensures proper connection
of the throttle cable 20 and the internal combustion engine thus
enabling proper throttling of the internal combustion engine by the
cable assembly 18.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0039] The throttle cable locking assembly 16 according to the
invention is suitably applied to various power tools such as a
mower and a chain saw.
REFERENCE SINGS LIST
[0040] 1 . . . d-held power tool (power tool) [0041] 2 . . . Source
of power [0042] 4 . . . Machine implement [0043] 6 . . . Throttle
handle [0044] 8 . . . First end portion of the machine implement
[0045] 10 . . . Second end portion [0046] 12 . . . Handle member
[0047] 14 . . . Throttle lever [0048] 16 . . . Throttle cable
locking assembly [0049] 18 . . . Cable assembly [0050] 20 . . .
Throttle cable [0051] 22 . . . First end portion of the throttle
cable 20 [0052] 24 . . . Second end portion of the throttle cable
20 [0053] 26, 28 . . . Attaching tabs [0054] 30 . . . Outer cable
[0055] 32 . . . First end portion of the outer cable 30 [0056] 34 .
. . Second end portion of the outer cable 30 [0057] 36 . . .
Engagement member [0058] 38 . . . An external surface of the
engagement member 36 [0059] 40 . . . Flange [0060] 42 . . .
Adjuster bolt [0061] 44 . . . End portion of the adjuster bolt 42
[0062] 46 . . . Opposite end portion of the adjuster bolt 42 [0063]
48 . . . Locking case [0064] 50 . . . Throttle control mechanism
[0065] 52 . . . Swiveling member [0066] 53 . . . Locknut [0067] 54
. . . Stationary bracket [0068] 56 . . . First member [0069] 58 . .
. Second member [0070] 60 . . . Hinged joint [0071] 62 . . .
Locking member [0072] 64 . . . Complementary locking member
* * * * *